The spring transfer window has been anything but quiet for Arkansas football. Unfortunately, most of the noise has been about the outgoing transfers or, rather, one outgoing transfer in Madden Iamaleava.
While the incoming additions received little excitement, Sam Pittman quietly brought in strong, if not potentially great, pieces to enhance the 2025 roster. Specifically, three transfers could break into the top two on the depth chart or challenge for a starting position altogether.
Three spring transfer that could have an instant impact
Julian Neal
The first is cornerback Julian Neal. He's the highest-rated transfer this season, edging out .9100 4-stars O'Mega Blake and Corey Robinson II, according to 247Sports. More importantly, he's joining a position of need.
Quality depth was a big issue at CB heading into the 2025 season, and Pittman fixed that. Unfortunately, the lack of competition at the top of the depth chart was never addressed until Neal called the Hogs. Arkansas brought in four other CBs between the portal and JUCO, but only one (Caleb Woodson from Auburn) has major Power Four experience. Jaheim Singletary and Selman Bridges are the only players with much playing time at Arkansas, too.
Bridges and Singletary played last season, but their performance was subpar, recording Pro Football Focus grades of 48.7 and 47.6 against, respectively, Texas Tech (their most snaps of the season). But they were arguably the best Arkansas had, even with the new transfers. With Neal, the CBs will have to fight for a starting spot, incentivizing a higher level of competition and performance—which could ultimately raise the unit’s overall effectiveness heading into the season.
Andrew Harris
For many of the same reasons, Andrew Harris is a dramatic addition to the linebacker room. However, instead of quality talent at the top, the LBs needed better depth. Xavian Sorey, Stephen Dix, and Bradley Shaw have authority over the position. Behind them are talented but young players.
While he hasn't had much on-the-field action, Harris has at least spent two seasons with a Power Four school. He was also a highly-touted 4-star prospect out of high school.
Talented true freshman Tavion Wallace could battle Harris for the No. 4 spot. Until he acclimates to the collegiate game, Harris is there to provide a cushion in case one of the starters is injured or needs a breather.
Jalen Brown
Finally, there's Pittman's latest pickup. Jalen Brown is another big-time prospect out of high school who's also spent time with Power Four schools. Initially committing to LSU and playing for the Tigers for one season, Brown transferred to Florida State for one year, seeing the field very little.
However, he didn't leave FSU of his own will, which suggests he saw some sort of future with the Seminoles. Instead, trouble with the law forced FSU's hand—which is another issue altogether. Never mind that fact for a moment. Brown was in prime position to earn serious playing time, if not a starting position at FSU.
Unlike Harris or Neal, Brown is heading a position filled to the brim. The question, though, is why Arkansas is searching for more. It could suggest the room isn't as good as the coaching staff thought it would be, with many of their transfer wideouts coming from small schools or being undersized. As a former 4-star at 6-foot-1, he has the talent and size of an SEC receiver and could potentially break the starting rotation.
Those three are just a part of the nine spring transfers, which brings the total to 31 this season.